Cherundolo goal leads U.S. past South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- The United States hopes the
2010 World Cup ends this way.

Steve Cherundolo scored in the 27th minute, and the U.S. beat
World Cup host South Africa 1-0 Saturday in an exhibition game that
closed the Americans' first year under coach Bob Bradley.

"We had a fantastic experience and are looking forward to
coming back," Cherundolo said.

At 28, the oldest player on the U.S. roster, Cherundolo scored
his second goal in 43 international appearances. The defender ran
onto a pass from Maurice Edu along the right flank and put the ball
over goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez on an angled shot from about 7
yards.

"I saw the opportunity to make a run. Maurice Edu played a
great ball in and we are able to expose them," Cherundolo said.
"As far as the finish goes, you hit it and hope a little bit, and
tonight I got a little lucky."

South Africa outshot the Americans 12-3 in a match billed as the
Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup, and the victory improved Bradley's
record to 12-5-1 since he replaced Bruce Arena last December.

"We're looking forward to coming back here for the
Confederations Cup in 2009 and the World Cup in 2010," Bradley
said.

The United States, which has won two straight following a
five-match losing streak, was playing in Africa for just the third
time -- the other two matches were exhibition losses at Morocco in
1992 and 1998.

"We have some young players with us, so the experience to play
in front of this kind of crowd and get a result is important,"
Bradley said. "To be able to maintain a lead in that type of
atmosphere is a positive."

Cherundolo turned an ankle and was limping slightly by halftime,
and he was replaced by Jonathan Spector when the second half began.
Cherundolo's only previous international goal was on a 75-yard
drive that bounced past goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in a 4-1 exhibition
loss at Germany in March 2006.

Freddy Adu, born in Ghana, made his first start and third
appearance for the United States. Jozy Altidore, another
18-year-old, made his U.S. debut when he replaced Clint Dempsey in
the 65th minute and became the 61st player used by the U.S. this
year.

Tim Howard played goal in the first half and Brad Guzan in the
second, but South Africa rarely tested the pair. The Bafana Bafana
attacked more after Siphiwe Tshabalala, their lone substitute,
entered in the 71st minute.

"I was happy with the way we played in the second half," said
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who coached Brazil to
the 1994 World Cup title. "We created many chances, and although
we didn't score, I am happy that the players understand this is
part of the learning process as we build for the 2008 African Cup
of Nations and the 2010 World Cup."

There was plenty of color at the match, played at Ellis Park,
one of the sites for the 2010 World Cup. The ball was primarily
yellow, with touches of red and green, and the Bafana Bafana wore
new yellow jerseys. Players seemed a bit winded at times.
Johannesburg is 5,751 feet above sea level, about 400 feet higher
than Denver.

"We have made a lot of progress this year, and it is nice to
cap off a lot of hard work with a victory," Bradley said.

Notes: The Americans play next against Sweden on Jan. 19 at
Carson, Calif., then face Mexico on Feb. 6 at Houston. The United
States starts World Cup qualifying in June and learns its possible
opponents at the World Cup draw in Durban on Nov. 25. ... According
to the U.S. Soccer Federation, this was the national team's 499th
game.